What is it about?
Providing end-of-life care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is one of the most challenging experiences nursing and midwifery students can face. This commentary discusses a study exploring how students experience caring for dying babies and supporting their families during clinical placements. Students described feeling emotionally overwhelmed, unprepared for the realities of end-of-life care and uncertain about managing grief, professional boundaries and communication with families. The paper highlights important gaps in education and argues for greater emphasis on emotional resilience, cultural sensitivity and practical preparation within nursing and midwifery programmes.
Featured Image
Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Babies and families receiving end-of-life care require compassionate, skilled and culturally sensitive support. However, students often encounter these situations before feeling adequately prepared to manage the emotional, ethical and interpersonal complexities involved. Without appropriate educational and pastoral support, students may experience distress, reduced confidence and an increased risk of emotional burnout. Strengthening teaching around palliative care, communication, cultural humility and emotional wellbeing can help ensure future nurses and midwives are better equipped to provide high-quality family-centred care during some of the most difficult moments families face.
Perspectives
Preparing future nurses and midwives for end-of-life care requires more than teaching clinical skills. Education programmes must also recognise the emotional impact of caring for dying infants and support students to develop resilience, self-awareness and confidence. Strong partnerships between universities and clinical placement providers are essential to bridge the gap between theory and practice. By integrating palliative care education, simulated learning, reflective practice and emotional support throughout curricula, nursing and midwifery programmes can better prepare students to deliver compassionate, culturally sensitive care while safeguarding their own wellbeing.
Prof Michael J Tatterton
University of Bradford
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Cultural sensitivity and emotional resilience education improve infant health and wellbeing in end-of-life care in neonatal intensive care units, Evidence-Based Nursing, June 2026, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/ebnurs-2026-104721.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
